New WFD Rescue Enters Service

WARWICK, RI — Warwick’s new WFD rescue went into service at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, one of two bought in 2021 under Mayor Frank Picozzi’s lease/purchase program to replace vehicles and equipment.

The truck was one of two that arrived a week ago, Picozzi said. According to the Mayor’s office, the trucks, the bids for which were before the council in August 2021, cost $269,904 each.

This one has since been outfitted and registered, Picozzi said. The other new truck is still getting prepped and will be going into service in a few days.

City Council President Steve McAllister said more WFD vehicles are on the way, though supply and demand are each an issue at the moment, the latter a result of

With all the APRA (American Rescue Plan Act) money states and cities received across the country, it now takes years for cities to get the fire trucks and recuses they ordered.

The American Rescue Plan Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, guaranteeing direct relief to cities, towns and villages in the United States. Within that Act, the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program delivered $350 billion to state, territorial, local, and Tribal governments across the country to support their response to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency.  That response and recovery may include:

• Fight the pandemic and support families and businesses struggling with its public health and economic impacts
• Maintain vital public services, even amid declines in revenue resulting from the crisis
• Build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity

“We have already ordered a number of new recuses and fire trucks that will be coming in the next few years. It’s a long process. Lots of communities used these funds to buy new trucks so there is a supply chain issue,” McAllister said.

“Thankfully we are improving our fleet. We’re going to have dependable vehicles to ensure public health and safety and not have to borrow backup rescues from other towns,” Picozzi said.